Mixed martial arts veteran Mike Whitehead has been arrested and charged with three felonies including sexual assault, attempted sexual assault, and open and gross lewdness, according to a release from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department issued today.

If convicted, each charge carries a minimum of one year in prison, according to Barbara Morgan, a Public Information Officer with the LVPD.

Whitehead turned himself into the LVPD's Investigative Services Division on Wednesday. Detectives arrested him after he declined to answer questions about a sexual assault of an adult female that he was allegedly involved in this past Saturday, Morgan said.

Whitehead is currently being held at the Clark County Detention Center. His bail has not been set.

Morgan said additional charges related to a marijuana growing operation discovered at Whitehead's residence are pending. Detectives discovered at least 50 plants there while serving the fighter a search warrant on the alleged sexual assault.

The 28-year-old Whitehead (24-7 MMA, 1-1 SF) perhaps is best known to MMA fans for his appearance on "The Ultimate Fighter 2." After his disappointing performance on the show and a subsequent loss to Keith Jardine at UFC 57, the promotion released Whitehead. He then served stints with the International Fight League and Affliction Entertainment before signing with Strikeforce this past May.

After back-to-back wins, which included a unanimous-decision win over Kevin Randleman in his Strikeforce debut, White and was knocked out by Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal in his most recent performance at "Strikeforce: Evolution" this past December.

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker could not be reached for comment on Whitehead's case.